A MAN who lived a quiet life in Almondbury has left £1.6m to charity in his will.

A MAN who lived a quiet life in Almondbury has left £1.6m to charity in his will.

Bachelor Trevor Howard Wardle died in January, aged 79.

He lived a solitary life in a two- bedroomed, detached house worth about £225,000.

Mr Wardle worked as an electrical engineer - but is believed to have amassed much of his fortune from share dealing on his home computer.

He left £1,665,991 net in a will published this week.

Now, charities in Huddersfield are to benefit from his generous bequests - and they are surprised, but delighted.

Most of his estate has been divided between the Leukaemia Research Fund, Cancer Research Campaign, the RNIB, British Red Cross Society, Kirkwood Hospice at Dalton, Huddersfield Age Concern and the Cats Protection League.

A neighbour who had known Mr Wardle for 50 years and who did not want to be named said: "He had lived alone for 10 to 15 years, since his aunt died.

"I knew he dealt in shares and was worth a lot.

"It was a money-making thing he did all his life.

"He had shares all over the world. "

Mr Wardle worked in the electrical supply industry for many years and had a top post.

"He was a brilliant man. Whatever he did he was top notch," the neighbour added.

Mr Wardle had only two elderly relatives in the South.

He was a quiet man who did not mix socially in Almondbury .

"Very few people knew him in this area. He did not mix with people and he would never speak about his life or anything," said the neighbour.

Mr Wardle became terminally ill yet remained independent to the end, refusing to go into a nursing home, despite medical advice.

He was a member of the Institution of Electrical Engineers.

Annabel Arkless, fundraising manager at Kirkwood Hospice, said: "The bequest has come as a total surprise. We do not know why this gentleman has chosen us, but we have been told to expect something like £200,000.

"It is a very generous gesture. Legacies are our biggest source of funds and we welcome them all, be they £10 or £200,000."

Mrs Kath Wright, of Age Concern, said: "We are delighted.

"Mr Wardle was known to us, as we provided cleaning and shopping services for him for the past few years. But he never indicated he wanted to help in this way.

"We do occasionally get legacies and they are a great boost to us. This money will go towards helping the old people of Huddersfield."